Apparatus and methods for truncating elongated members

ABSTRACT

A cutting tool for truncating elongated structural members has a frame with a pair of parallel siderails connected at a first end by a support plate and at a second end by a removable end gate, the frame having an open center adapted to receive the structural member therethrough. The truncating is performed by a fixed penetrating cutting edge on an end gate and a driven penetrating blade slidably disposed within the frame to advance towards the end gate. The end gate has two integral penetrating cutting edges pointing in opposite directions. The driven penetrating blade and the fixed penetrating cutting edge may have concave cutting edges relative to one another and configured to be adjacent to one another along the travel of the driven penetrating blade. Alternately, an end gate second cutting edge may be directed to the opening within the frame and have a piercing V-shaped cutting edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/741,372, filed on Jan. 13, 2020, which is hereby incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD

Presented herein are embodiments to truncate elongated members, and inparticular, embodiments, methods and systems to truncate elongatedstructural members of various configurations and materials including butnot limited to metal structural members which are tubular and hollow,using a cutter having an end gate which is configured to allow a user toselect among at least two cutting edges on the end gate, and havingconcaved shaped opposing cutting edges, whereby elongated members can betruncated which are up to 95 percent in outside diameter relative to thedistance between frame side rails and the length of the interior spaceformed between the center of frame blade cutting edge and the center ofthe end gate cutting edge.

BACKGROUND

In various industries, it is occasionally necessary to cut, deform,break, deconstruct, decommission or sever (collectively and individuallyreferred herein as “truncate”) elongated members at desired points alongits length. Examples of elongated members can include structural membersof oil platforms, pilings, piers, bridges, refineries, power plants, andthe like. By way of example, in the offshore petroleum industry, duringthe decommissioning of a drilling or production platform, it isfrequently important to truncate the ‘legs’/pilings of the platform asclose as possible to the seabed. Conventional methods for performingsuch tasks have utilized divers working with thermal cutting tools, wiresaws and/or explosives. These conventional methods can be dangerous,time consuming, costly and cause significant environmental impact. Forexample, the use of a wire saw can cause a significant amount of fineparticulate matter that can become airborne or seaborne.

One attempt to solve these deficiencies is the use of a gated cutter.The truncation of elongated members using cutters of variousconfigurations using gated cutters are described in, for example, U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,139,006, 5,413,086 and US PUB 20050274249A1, the entirespecifications of which are incorporated herein by reference. Despitethese advances, further improvements are possible and desired.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, to advance at least the aforementioned deficiencies in theart, presented herein are embodiments to truncate elongated membersusing a gated cutter having in one embodiment opposed beveled concaveshaped blades and the option allow a user to select among at least twocutters mounted on the end gate. In particular, presented herein areembodiments, methods and systems to truncate elongated structuralmembers of various configurations and materials including but notlimited to metal structural members which are tubular and hollow, usinga cutter having an end gate configured to allow a user to select amongat least two cutting edges on the end gate, and having concaved shapedopposing blades, whereby elongated members can be truncated which are upto the outside diameter relative to the distance between frame siderails and the length of the interior space formed between the center offrame blade cutting edge and the center of the end gate cutting edge.

The present embodiments allow for an apparatus, methods and systems forthe truncation of elongated structural members of various configurationsand materials, including but not limited to metal structural memberswhich are tubular and hollow, using a cutter having an end gateconfigured to allow the selection from at least two cutting elements.According to one approach, the cutter combination includes opposingconcave shaped single beveled blades.

According to one approach a cutting tool for truncating elongatedstructural members has a frame with a pair of parallel siderailsconnected at a first end by a support plate and at a second end by aremovable end gate, the frame having an open center adapted to receivethe structural member therethrough. The truncating is performed by afixed cutting edge on an end gate and a cutting edge on a drivenpenetrating blade slidably disposed within the frame. The end gate hasat least two penetrating cutting edges pointing in opposite directionswherein the driven penetrating cutting edge and the fixed penetratingcutting edge are concave relative to one another and configured to beadjacent to one another along the travel of the driven penetratingblade.

According to one approach, the cutting edge of the driven penetratingblade and the fixed penetrating blade may have a single bevel. Thecutting edge of the driven penetrating blade and the fixed penetratingblade can define the frame opening.

According to one approach, the concave arc of the driven penetratingblade can be circular. Thus, the frame opening can be circular.According to one approach, the concave shape of the driven penetratingblade can be oblong.

According to one approach, the end gate may have a second fixed cuttingedge at a second side of the end gate. The second fixed cutting edge ispreferably directed to the frame open center when rotated 180 degreesalong its length.

The end gate may be secured to the frame by two removable pins.

According to one approach, the end gate may have three cutting edgesarranged in a triangle with each cutting surface on the same plane.

According to one approach, the end gate is pivotable about one pin andlocked by a second pin and the end gate pivots about the pivot pin by ahydraulic cylinder. The blade configuration may have a predeterminedconcave cross-sectional profile and where the cutting edges of theblades define a collective concave profile corresponding to the profileof the structural member

According to one approach, a method for cutting an elongated member isprovided having the steps of: providing a cutting tool having a drivenpenetrating blade that is a substantially first flat blade slidablydisposed between slidable mounts, the driven penetrating blade having abevel on a concave shaped cutting edge relative to an end gate; andproviding a cutting tool having a cutting edge on the end gate; mountingthe cutting edges around a pile and at a selected position along thepile with the cutting edges confronting the pile; and driving thecutting edges of the blades into a surface of the pile around theperiphery of the pile.

According to one approach, the step of mounting the blades around thepile includes opening the end gate; moving the cutting tool so that thepile is situated to a back cutting edge of the driven blade; and closingthe end gate.

A cutting tool for truncating elongated structural members is alsoprovided having a cutting tool having a frame, with two substantiallyparallel side rails, a cross member attached to and extending betweenone end of the side rails, and an end gate attached to and extendingbetween a second end of the side rails; a substantially flat first bladeslidably disposed between the side rails, the blade having a concavecutting edge, the concave cutting edge facing the end gate; asubstantially flat second cutting edge on the end gate forming a secondblade, the second cutting edge being concave, the concave second cuttingedge facing the first blade cutting edge; where said cutting edges forman opening within the frame configured to surround the elongatedstructural member; and mechanism for moving the first blade toward thesecond blade, whereby said movement causes the first blade to truncatethe elongated structural member extending through said frame opening,between the first blade and the second blade. According to one approach,the end gate is removably secured to ends of the side rail.

Other features will become more apparent to persons having ordinaryskill in the art to which the assemblies pertain and from the followingdescription and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top front perspective view of a cutting tool according toone approach of the present embodiments with its end gate in a closedposition and a first end gate cutting edge directed to a frame interior;

FIG. 2 is a top rear perspective view of a cutting tool of FIG. 1 withits end gate in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of a cutting tool of FIG. 1 withits end gate in a closed position and its frame blade partiallyextended;

FIG. 4 is a top front perspective view of a cutting tool of FIG. 1 withits end gate in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a top front perspective view of a cutting tool according toone approach of the present embodiments with its end gate in a closedposition and a second end gate cutting edge directed to a frameinterior;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the blades of a cutting tool according to oneapproach of the present embodiments with its end gate in a closedposition and a first end gate cutting edge directed to a frame interiorand the frame blade retracted to receive a work piece;

FIG. 7 is the top view of the blades of a cutting tool according to FIG.6 with its end gate in a closed position and a first end gate cuttingedge directed to a frame interior and the frame blade extended totruncate a work piece;

FIG. 8 is a top front perspective view of a cutting tool according toanother approach of the present embodiments with its end gate pinned inposition and a first end gate cutting edge directed to a frame interior;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cutting tool of FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective front view of a frame blade to the cuttingtool of FIGS. 1 and 6 ;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the frame blade of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is a close up of area XII of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view of the frame blade of FIG. 11taken along section lines XIII-XIII of FIG. 11 ;

FIG. 14 is a close-up side view of area XIV of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a rear top perspective view of a frame blade to the cuttingtool of FIGS. 1 and 6 ;

FIG. 16 is a top view of a frame blade according to another approach;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective front view of a frame blade to the cuttingtool of FIG. 16 ;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional side view of the frame blade of FIG. 17taken along section lines XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17 ;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective front view of the end gate assembly of thepresent embodiments according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 20 is a top perspective front view of the end gate assembly of thepresent embodiments according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 21 is an exploded top perspective view of an end gate assembly ofthe cutting tool of FIGS. 19-20 ;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the end gate assembly to the cutting tool ofFIGS. 19-20 ;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the end gate assembly to the cutting tool ofFIGS. 19-20 ;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the end gate assembly to the cutting tool ofFIGS. 19-20 ;

FIG. 25 is a partial side view of the end gate assembly to the cuttingtool of FIGS. 19-20 ;

FIG. 26 is a top perspective rear view of the blade of the end gateassembly of the present embodiments according to another approach;

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective rear view of the blade of the end gateassembly of the present embodiments according to FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 28 is a top perspective front view of the blade of the end gateassembly of the present embodiments according to FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 29 is a bottom perspective front view of the blade of the end gateassembly of the present embodiments according to FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 30 is a rear planar view of the blade of the end gate assembly tothe cutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 31 is a bottom planar view of the blade of the end gate assembly tothe cutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 32 is a front planar view of the blade of the end gate assembly tothe cutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 33 is a right side planar view of the blade of the end gateassembly to the cutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 34 is a rear planar view of the blade of the end gate blade to thecutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 35 is a bottom planar view of the blade of the end gate to thecutting tool of FIG. 26 ;

FIG. 36 is a top perspective view of the blade of the end gate assemblyof the present embodiments according to another approach;

FIG. 37 is a bottom perspective view of the blade of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 38 is a front planar view of the blade of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 39 is a top planar view of the blade of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 40 is a top perspective view of the end gate blade to the cuttingtool of FIGS. 26-27 ; and

FIG. 41 is a bottom perspective view of the end gate blade to thecutting tool of FIGS. 26-27 .

While the features described herein may be susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described indetail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to be limiting to the particularform disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented herein are embodiments to truncate elongated members, and inparticular, embodiments, methods and systems to truncate elongatedstructural members of various configurations and materials including butnot limited to metal structural members which are tubular and hollow,using a cutter having an end gate which is configured to allow a user toselect among at least two cutting edges on the end gate, and havingconcaved shaped opposing blade, whereby elongated members can betruncated which are up to 95 percent in outside diameter relative to thedistance between frame side rails and the length of the interior spaceformed between the center of frame blade cutting edge and the center ofthe end gate cutting edge.

For ease of understanding the present embodiments, non-limiting examplesof elongated members described herein include hollow cylindricalmembers, such as tubular metal pilings. It is understood that thepresent embodiments are not limited for use in truncating hollowcylindrical members, but may be used for truncating elongated structuralmembers having various cross-sectional shapes and made from variousstructural materials such as wood, metals, concrete, and the like andcombinations thereof. Examples of elongated members can includestructural members of oil platforms, pilings, piers, bridges,refineries, power plants, structural lattice work, and the like. Also,the terms cut, deform, break, deconstruct, decommission or sever areused throughout the specification when referring to any or allactivities to cut, deform, break, deconstruct, decommission and/or severany elongated members.

The present embodiments provide numerous configurations and greatlyincrease the functionality and efficiency for a truncating tool forelongated members than previously known in the art. For example,according to one approach, where the configuration includes dualopposing and beveled concave blades, cylindrical elongated members oflarger diameters can be severed than previously known for similar framedimensions. As described herein, the term “concave” may refer to avariety of configurations where the cutting edge of the blade extendsbehind the center of the blade in relation to the direction oftruncation. Non-limiting examples of a concave blade shape may includecircular (round), oblong and/or “football”, “V” shaped, partially “V”shaped and combinations thereof. In this configuration, the blades areconfigured to penetrate a workpiece and may surround the elongatedmember before truncating. This configuration thus allows for a smallerframe of the device (e.g., shorter side frame rails and narrower width)to achieve the same results as were accomplished with prior cutters. Forexample, the frame side rails can be up to 50 percent shorter thanprevious cutters. The weight of a smaller device can be, for example,half the weight of a prior cutter needed to sever an elongated member ofsimilar diameter.

According to one approach, when the end gate is closed and the frameblade is in its retracted position, the device of the presentembodiments having concave blades can provide a frame defining aninternal opening that may surround an elongated member of almost equaldiameter (up to about 95 percent) in width and length to the internalopening.

According to one approach, bevels on the cutting edge may be provided.Where a single bevel is used, during truncation, the angle of the bevelis positioned to direct the truncated member away from the cutter, whichallows for easier removal once the cut is completed and the elongatedmember is freed. The concave blades are configured so that the leadingedges of the blades are adjacent during the truncation to provide theclean shear needed to the cut the elongated member. The angle of thebevel on the blades may be about 25-75 degrees (e.g., 25-75 degrees).

According to one approach, the end gate may be held in place by pins,which may be removed by the user and/or through the use of pin pullmechanisms situated at the distal ends of each of the two side rails.The advantage of these configurations is the quick removal of the endgate. As described herein, multiple blades may be formed on the same endgate. In one example, end gate blades may be extending away from eachother on the same plane (i.e., by 180 degrees). In these configurations,a different blade may be directed to the internal opening of the cutterframe as needed. For example, a concave blade may be positioned toextend from one side of the end gate and a piercing and/or doublebeveled blade may positioned extending away from the concave blade inthe opposite direction. The piercing blade may be needed to cutelongated members with smaller diameter but thicker walled, more dense,solid elongated combinations thereof and the like. Also, there may bedual concave blades to reduce down time if by chance the first bladebreaks in the field.

According to one approach, the end gate can swing open using a hydraulicarm attached to one side of the gate and a pin pull mechanism to removethe pin on the other of the end gate. In use, this configuration allowsthe present cutter to approach the elongated member from the side andenvelop the member in its interior space when the end gate is closed. Toremove this end gate configuration, the pin pull can release one side ofthe end gate. The end gate can be swung open followed by removal of thepivot pin and the hydraulic arm pin to free the end gate from thecutter.

In another approach (FIG. 8 ), the end gate is held in place by twopins, which may or may not be removable by pin puller mechanism(s). Inuse, the end gate remains closed but can still be lowered over the endof an elongated member to be truncated such as piers or pilingsextending out of water. In this instance, to remove the end gate onlythe two pins need to be removed to free the end gate. This designprovides a simpler device which may be more reliable in the field sincethe user is not reliant on the hydraulic arm of the end gate. Once thegate is removed, to change the interiorly directed blade, the end gatein one approach is simply rotated 180 degrees on its ends andreinstalled.

In the present embodiments, matching brackets are installed on the sidesof the end gate to allow for the same pin placement and mountingorientation of the end gate blade relative to the cutter frame,irrespective of the blade selected for cutting. It is also noted thatthe blades are positioned on the end gate and beveled so that thecutting edge of the gate blade is adjacent to the frame blade while inuse. The blade and the blade brackets of the end gate are spaced byspacers to allow mounting in the space between the brackets on the endsof the frame side rails. For example, the spacers can be about 80-97percent in thickness relative to the space provided on the ends of theframe side rails. The spacers can be blocks welded on the end gate bladeand the end gate brackets. In a preferred embodiment, the blocks can bebeveled to allow a deeper penetration of the weld.

In the preferred embodiments, the frame blade and the end gate bladeedges should have reciprocal beveling. Accordingly, if the frame bladecutting edge has a single bevel, the end gate blade should have a singlebevel and be positioned so that the cutting edges of each blade areadjacent when in use. If the frame gate cutting edge has a two or morebevels, the end gate blade should have reciprocal two or more bevels(e.g., see FIGS. 17 and 36 ). It is noted though that the shape of thecutting edge does not need to have reciprocal shapes. Accordingly, aconcave frame blade can be used with a rounded concave end gate blade,an angled end gate blade, an arrow shaped end gate blade, and so on. Itis noted though that the blade configurations is able to provide thedesired cutting of the elongated member. Preferably, this would meancomplete severing of the elongated member, though in some instance thismay not be possible or even desired. For example, a concave frame bladewith a piercing arrow blade on the end gate may be best to pierce theelongated member to start a cut.

In short, the present embodiments provide more versatility,functionality and efficiency in a smaller footprint with less weightthan was previously required in prior cutters.

Turning to the figures, as shown in FIG. 9 , cutting tool 40 can besuspended from cables 42 on an exemplary crane 50 on a platform such asa truck, a rail car, a barge 52, or the like to move the cutter intoplace to truncate an elongated member 51. FIGS. 1-4 depict an exemplarycutting tool 40 having two concave blades and a swinging end gateaccording to the present embodiments for truncating an elongatedstructural member and the like. As shown, cutting tool 40 generallyincludes a frame 41, at least one hydraulic cylinder 44 having acylinder rod 45 to drive frame blade 46 by telescopic extension from thehydraulic cylinder 44 to and from an extended and retracted position.The components of cutting tool 40 are preferably made of metal or someother material that is strong, rigid, and durable. The materials must beable to accommodate the pressures of the hydraulic system to drive theframe blade 46 through the elongated member. As shown, frame blade 46attaches to the hydraulics via frame blade brackets 68 attached tohydraulic rod 45 via cylinder pins 65 extending through cylinder pinholes 71 (See e.g., FIG. 11 ).

Frame 41 of cutting tool 40 may generally include a cross member 48(FIG. 3 or 5 ), two structurally mirror image side rails 47, and an endgate assembly 43. Cross member 48 preferably extends between side rails47 and is attached to a first end 94 of both side rails 47. Cross member48 is preferably constructed of support plate 66 and capable ofwithstanding the forces from the hydraulic cylinders pushing through theelongated member. As shown, at least one user controllable (controllernot shown) cylinder 44 is secured at one of its ends to support plate66. FIG. 5 shows the preferred arrangement of two cylinders 44 securedto support plate 66.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , a cylinder rod 45 reciprocally extends fromeach cylinder 44, and is attached at one end to blade 46 using brackets68 and bolts or pins 65. Changes in fluid pressure inside each cylinder44 cause cylinder rod 45 to move in and out of cylinder 44 to facilitateback and forth movement of blade 46 along channels 67 in side rails 47.The total distance traveled by cylinder rod 45 can be changed to adaptto the size of the structural member to be truncated and theconfiguration of the frame blade and end gate blade.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , side rails 47 preferably extend from crossmember 48 to a side rail second end 95 to where end gate 43 is removablyattached. Each side rail 47 has an inwardly facing channel 67 toaccommodate a lateral edge of blade 46, which slides along channels 67to and from end gate 43 as it extends and retracts. Second ends 95, asshown, have mounting brackets 96 to attach end gate 43. End gate 43,when installed, extends between side rails 47.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 , end gate 43 is preferably removablysecured to side rails 47 using bolts or pins, which are capable ofwithstanding the shearing stress generated during the truncatingprocess. As shown, pin 53 serves as a pivot point for end gate 43 toswing out from the frame and locking pin 54 holds the end gate in placewhile in use. Locking pin 54 may optionally be attached to a usercontrollable pin pull 80 device to allow the gate to swing open (73) onpivot pin 53. End gate 43 may pivot on pivot pin 53 when a usercontrollable hydraulic arm 49 is actuated to extend or retract end gatehydraulic rod 97. According to another approach, FIG. 8 shows dualmechanized pin pulls to release end gate 43.

The blades for the present embodiment have cutting edges preferably madeof a very hard material, such as the type of steel referred to as toolsteel or tool die steel. Cutting edges can also be made of toolcarbides, including, for example, tungsten (wolfram) carbide, WC. Asthose skilled in the art will appreciate, the necessary level ofhardness of the material used to make the cutting edges depends on thedimension, structure, and properties of the structural member beingtruncated. Cutting edges should be sufficiently hard to truncate severalstructural members without any noticeable wear to cutting edge.

Frame blade 46 is a substantially flat metal plate extending betweenside rails 47 with a leading cutting edge 69 having a bevel 70. Blade 46must be thick enough and rigid enough not to buckle during thetruncation process. The lateral edges of blade 46 are preferably thickenough to substantially fill channels 67 of side rails 47 so as toprevent dust and the like from accumulating within channels 67.

As shown in the figures, frame blade 46 cutting edge 69 can be concavein shape and having a bevel 70. The angle of the bevel on the blades maybe about 25-75 degrees (e.g., 25-75 degrees), but preferably about a25-40 degrees bevel. By way of example, FIG. 11-15 show an exemplaryframe blade 46 according to the present embodiments. By way of exampleto understand ratios and proportion of frame blade 46, frame blade 46can have: beveled corners 83 that are about 1.5 (82) inches along thelength of the frame bade and 0.125 inches (81) in width; a frame bladeoverall width 102 of about 37 inches; a length 103 of about 42 inches; aframe blade thickness 98 of about 2 inches; a bevel 70 extending about 3inches (85) (or alternately having an angle of about 25-45 degrees(86)); a cutting edge 69 having round concave arc relative to end gate43 having a radius 84 of about 16 inches (allowing for a work piece ofabout 32 inches); and frame blade extensions 104 internally flared toabout 108 degrees (105) from the sides of the cutting edge to the end ofthe frame blade of about 1.5 inches (106) in width on each side to allowstable blade travel in side rail channels 67 and to guide a work piecetowards the cutting edge. The distal opening 64 of frame blade 46 isthus about 33.875 inches. The blade extends about one inch into the siderail channels 67. This means that the spacing (75) between the siderails 47 can be about 34 or 35 inches to accommodate a workpiece havinga 32-inch outer diameter 74. The other dimension to reduce the size andweight of the cutting tool 40 is the length of the side rails 47 neededto receive a 32 inch work piece in its interior space. This is limitedby the dimension 76 which is the span between the most distal regions ofthe cutting edges of frame blade and gate blade. This dimension alsodelimits the travel length in direction 72 needed by the hydraulic rodto extend frame blade 46 so that the center 107 of concave cutting edge69 of frame blade 46 passes over the center 108 of concave cutting edge63 of end gate 43. In this instance dimensions 74 and 75 can be thesame. In other words, the longitudinal opening of the interior area ofthe cutting tool 40 can be about 33.875 inches in length. It is notedthough that these exact measurements are not the only possibledimensions so long as there is about at least an extra inch of space inlength and width of the interior opening relative to the workpiece outerdiameter 74.

An optional second bevel 99 being about 0.20 inches (101) thickextending back about 0.20 inches (100). This resultant frame blade isthus configured to cut an elongated member having an outside diameter ofabout 32 inches. It is noted that the dimensions described are merelyexemplary of one possible embodiment, which can also be scaled up andscaled down to accommodate different cutter frames.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, cutting edge 69 ofblade 46 has a wedge shape leading to a cutting edge on the lower sideof the frame blade. This allows for the work piece to be tilted awayfrom the cutter 40 while in use. As will be explained below, end gateblade is reciprocal in configuration in that the cutting edge here needsto have its cutting edge on the top side of the end gate blade so thatthe cutting edges are adjacent while in use.

According to another approach, frame blade 46 i can have an oblongconcave arc and/or have two equal mirror image bevels (arrow shape) suchas shown in FIGS. 16-18 . In these figures, assuming for example atwo-inch-thick blade, can have a cutting edge 69 i one inch from the topand bottom of the blade and extending rearward from about 1.25 to 3inches (90) or an angle of about 25-45 degrees (89). By way of example,cutting edge 69 i can have an outside radius (87) of about 16 inches anda center radius 86 of about 10 inches. It is noted that the presentconfigurations can allow a dimension 86 to be at least 2-3 inches andgreater. In this case, end gate blade would preferably have the sameshape blade (i.e., a reciprocal convex arrow shaped cutting edge (notshown) and oriented so that the cutting edges meet on the same plane.

In the figures an end gate assembly 43 is provided having brackets (56,57, 60, 61) to mount end gate 43 to frame side rails 47, the bracketsalso being mounted to beveled/filet spacers 58 (or blocks 58 i, seee.g., FIG. 28 ) having bevels 59, and end gate blade 55. The bracketshave bores 91 for pin 53, bore 92 for pin 78, and bore 93 for pin 54.Pin 53 provides a pivot for end gate 43; pin 78 is the pivot pin for thehydraulic rod 97 for one side rail. Pin 54 provides a second end gateattachment on the opposite side rail 47. In the embodiments shown, endgate 43 has an end blade 55 that has two cutting surfaces 62 and 63. Asmentioned herein, the cutting edges of the end gate blade and the frameblade are preferably adjacent to each other when the frame blade isextending to provide the shear to truncate the elongated member. Thus,as shown in FIG. 1 , frame blade 46 has its cutting edge on the lowerside of the blade. Accordingly, when the end gate is attached, end gateblade 55 has its cutting surface 63 on its top side and oriented so thatits top side is oriented directly under frame blade cutting edge 69. Thebevel for the end gate cutting edges are directed away from the interiorof the frame. When cutting surface 62 is directed to the interior of theframe, again, its cutting edge is adjacent to cutting edge 69. This isaccomplished by the reciprocal brackets for attachment of the end gateassembly.

FIGS. 19-41 show various blade assembly configurations and bladeconfigurations. Cutting edge 62 can be useful for cutting thick walledsteel tubes. Cutting edge 63 can be useful cutting large diameterelongated members as described herein. Cutting edge 63 i of FIGS. 26-27can be useful for cutting large diameter work pieces, while cutting edge62 i can provide addition piercing capability. Cutting edge 63 ii ofFIGS. 36-37 can be useful for cutting or crushing large diameter workpieces, while cutting edge 62 i can provide addition piercing andcrushing capability. It is noted that in this embodiment, frame blade 46would need to have a reciprocal surface (not shown) and the mountingbrackets adjusted so that the blades are on the same plane. In anotherembodiment, the end gate can have three cutting edges on the same planein a triangular formation.

In one embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 , end gate 43 is also equipped with adownwardly beveled first cutting edge 62 and an upwardly beveled cuttingedge 63 on opposite sides of end gate blade 55. In FIG. 5 cutting edge62 faces cutting edge 69 on frame blade 46. In FIG. 1-4 cutting edge 63faces cutting edge 69 on frame blade 46. As blade 46 is moved toward endgate 43 as show as direction 72, cutting edges 69 and 63 (or alternatelycutting edges 69 and 62) can work together to shear a metal structuralmember. The member may be deformed by the force of blade 46 movingtoward end gate 43. The shearing action may partially or completelysever the metal structural member into two separate sections, despiteany deformation in the metal structural member.

FIGS. 6-7 show top views of the orientation of frame blade 46 and endgate blade 55 during a truncation of an elongated member 51. As shown,workpiece 51 is a hollow steel piling such as shown in FIG. 9 . Theblades of cutting tool 40 have already enclosed workpiece 51 bypositioning the frame blade 46 adjacent to the work piece 51, thenclosing end gate 43. As shown, when the cavity is formed there issufficient room for the work piece. It is preferred to leaveapproximately one or two inches of ‘play’ within the blade enclosure.

While the embodiments have been described in conjunction with specificembodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing description. Accordingly, the present embodiments attempt toembrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fallwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Throughout thisspecification and the drawings and figures associated with thisspecification, numerical labels of previously shown or discussedfeatures may be reused in another drawing figure to indicate similarfeatures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   -   40 cutting tool    -   41 frame    -   42 cabling to hold cutting tube 40    -   43 end gate assembly    -   44 hydraulic cylinder to move frame blade    -   45 hydraulic rod    -   46 frame blade    -   47 side rails    -   48 cross member    -   49 gate hydraulic cylinder    -   50 crane (FIG. 9 )    -   51 work piece to cut (FIG. 6, 7, 9 )    -   52 barge (FIG. 9 )    -   53 pivot pin for end gate    -   54 locking pin for end gate    -   55 end gate blade    -   56 bottom left bracket    -   57 top right bracket    -   58 spacers (beveled); 58 i (square)    -   59 beveled edges to allow welding penetration    -   60 top left bracket    -   61 bottom right bracket    -   62 first cutting edge    -   63 second cutting edge    -   64 distal opening 64 of frame blade 46    -   65 cylinder pins    -   66 support plate    -   67 side rail channel    -   68 brackets for frame blade    -   69 frame blade cutting edge    -   70 frame blade bevel    -   71 cylinder pin holes    -   72 direction of frame blade    -   73 direction of gate opening    -   74 work piece diameter    -   75 span of opening in frame blade    -   76 span between cutting edges of frame blade and gate blade and        travel of frame blade    -   78 gate hydraulic pin    -   80 mechanized pin pull    -   81 frame blade end bevel dimension    -   82 frame blade end bevel dimension    -   83 frame blade end bevel    -   84 radius of gate blade concave    -   85 frame blade bevel depth    -   86 oblong blade second radius (FIG. 16 )    -   87 oblong blade first radius (FIG. 16 )    -   89 dual bevel angle (FIG. 18 )    -   90 dual bevel dimension (FIG. 18 )    -   91 bore for pin 53    -   92 bore for pin 78    -   93 bore for pin 54    -   94 first end of side rails 47    -   95 second end of side rails 47    -   96 second end mounting brackets    -   97 end gate hydraulic rod    -   98 frame blade thickness    -   99 optional second bevel    -   100 depth of second bevel    -   101 height of second bevel    -   102 frame blade width    -   103 frame blade length    -   104 frame blade 46 extensions    -   105 frame blade 46 extensions arc (about 18 degrees)    -   106 frame blade 46 extenders    -   107 concave center of frame blade 46    -   108 concave center of end blade 55

1.-12. (canceled)
 13. A method for cutting an elongated member,comprising: providing a cutting tool having a driven penetrating bladethat is a substantially first flat blade slidably disposed betweenslidable mounts, the driven penetrating blade having a bevel on concaveshaped cutting edge relative to an end gate; providing a cutting toolhaving a mounted penetrating blade on the end gate; mounting the bladesaround a pile and at a selected position along the pile with the cuttingedges confronting the pile; and driving the cutting edges of the bladesinto a surface of the pile around the periphery of the pile.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the step of mounting the blades around thepile includes opening the end gate; moving the cutting tool so that thepile is situated to a back cutting edge of the driven blade; and closingthe end gate.
 15. A cutting tool for truncating elongated structuralmembers, said cutting tool comprising: a frame, comprising twosubstantially parallel side rails, a cross member attached to andextending between one end of the side rails, and an end gate attached toand extending between a second end of the side rails; a substantiallyflat first blade slidably disposed between the side rails, the bladehaving a concave cutting edge, the concave cutting edge facing the endgate; a substantially flat second blade mounted on the end gate, thesecond blade having a concave cutting edge, the concave cutting edgefacing the first blade; wherein said cutting edges form an openingwithin the frame configured to surround the elongated structural member;and mechanism for moving the first blade toward the second blade,whereby said movement causes the first blade to truncate the elongatedstructural member extending through said frame opening, between thefirst blade and the second blade.
 16. The cutting tool of claim 15,wherein the end gate is removably secured to ends of the side rail.